Gig Review: Anemo
- Posted on October 19, 2007 11:33 AM
- 5 comments
- Review By Holly Groom
On Anemo's website the following information can be found; they come from Brighton, they have a 'rock edge', Hazelle Woodhurst (lead vocals) used to sing in her school choir, guitarist Matt Palmer likes to surf and study Oceanography and band member Mike Kelly is 'officially the loudest drummer in the world'. I can tell you for sure that one of these facts is untrue. What's more, I can tell you that it is a bad sign when a band sounds this lame before they have even started to play.
That said, the seven members of the band are very, very good musicians. There is no argument there. Technically, their performance is solid and the band are tight and well practiced which allows Hazelle's voice the freedom to soar off in some well improvised directions. Unfortunately, their undeniable competence is their biggest problem. They are so perfectly rehearsed - too perfectly rehearsed - that it stops the show actually being any fun. There is something cringingly grown up and responsible about a gig that runs so smoothly. A few little fuck ups give a show character. Likewise, a couple of musical risks make a band stand out. I get the feeling that for many people Anemo are easily forgotten simply because their performance is so polished and safe that there is not much to remember them by. The fact that the band are such professional performers and yet apparently so comfortable to play eventless pop/rock is a shame. They have ability, but seem scared to go further out of their musical safety zone, than to chuck a few electronic beats at their otherwise uniform style. The band claim 'Anemo' means 'changing forms'. It would be nice if they tried that out.
This band is undeniably important - to its members. Music is a serious thing for them, I only wish someone had told them that when you are supposed to be a band with a 'rock edge' you can, on occasion, stop being so serious and start having fun - and charisma. Any character Anemo do possess can be accredited to Hazelle, who is apparently the only member of the band who speaks or moves. Comparisons with early Skunk Anansie or Republica can be drawn and are a tribute to the strength of Hazelle's voice but there is nothing new, risky or exciting about sounding a bit like a mid nineties rock band.
What Anemo lack (other than a decent appellation) is youthful exuberance. How am I supposed to have any fun if they don’t look like they are having any? As performers they don’t exactly inspire me to dance and throw myself about, that's probably for the best actually. I get the feeling that a few of the crowd are past their jumping and dancing age. I could get a real telling off for spilling a drink or stepping on a toe...
There is no glorious rock abandon to be seen and the supposed 'loudest drummer in the world' isn't - he barely moves enough to break a sweat, let alone to make a decent racket, neither does the rest of the band actually... neither do the crowd. We all just stand there, shuffling occasionally to the bar and applauding politely between perfectly put together, perfectly forgettable rock songs for grown ups. I never thought a band from hedonistic Brighton could be so sensible and sedate.
For more info on Anemo, check out their MySpace here.
And here's what we thought about their new single Pray...
- Zarina Raja
Anemo are obviously keen on bringing politics back into music. Pray focuses on John Simpson, the BBC World Affairs Editor, who was mistakenly bombed by a US airplane in 2003 whilst he accompanied a convoy of US Special Forces and Kurdish fighters. Considering the current political climate, it is surprising that there is not more music that is flooded with political messages or staging subtle campaigns. Nothing else seems to have worked in making certain world leaders see the sheer disgrace in what they are doing, so maybe music is the way forward.
Anemo sound dauntingly clean compared to the glum prospects of the song content. They sound like a rock band that might have been grimier when they first started, but have smartened themselves up for the prospects of signing with a record label. In effect though, this only sharpens the clarity of what Hazelle, Anemo’s lead vocalist, is singing about. As the song starts, and she moans ‘praaaaaaaay’ into the mic, her voice takes on an eerie sounding echo, but as the song progresses, Hazelle strengthens her voice and momentarily lets passion take over. ‘It’s still someones son…’ she sings, letting these devastating words pound though the listener, ‘now I just point the camera where people want to see…,’ a sad truth that stains a country’s apparent democratic name.
The thought behind Anemo is inspiring and hopeful, but Anemo sound too polished and annoyingly worthy for my own taste. But, this is not to say that they do not have potential. They are indeed talented musicians, but they just need to loosen up and let go of their disparaging middle class rock attitude.
Have we been too hard on Anemo? Let us know what you think about them by leaving us a comment.
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Comments (5)
Dee Taylor
How can you say that musicians being competent can be a negative thing - are you mad? I had a great time at the Anemo gig and thought the whole thing was FANTASTIC - the songs were great and full of energy - not sure what gig you were at, certainly not the one I was at!
Posted on October 19, 2007 9:20 PM
Lisa
ANEMO are a great band. Their new single "Pray" is awesome!! Whenever I've seen them live they've been amazing too, so not sure what happened at the gig you reviewed?
Posted on October 20, 2007 10:38 AM
Chaz
Holly - how old are you? You sound like a 12 year old desperate to let off some steam. It sounds like you don't like their website more than their music.
Grow up.
Posted on October 20, 2007 1:33 PM
Sacrlet
Ok so I'm 23, no longer a student - yes - too old to go to gigs and enjoy music - well if I listened to Holly then the answer would be yes again. What on earth is she going on about - sounds like she is desparate to slag off Anemo - she can't slag off their music, she can't slag off their musicianship etc so she slags off their website and the fact people were listening to the music and not talking through it. Come on - Anemo aren't The Gallows - their not thrash and never claimed to be!
Posted on October 21, 2007 8:49 PM
Sacrlet
and as for only the lead singer speaking - she's got the mic - doh!
Posted on October 21, 2007 8:56 PM
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